I have often said that small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and that could not be truer in Central Washington’s rural communities.The owners and employees of Main Street businesses are integral to the well-being of our communities, and the support for small businesses I have witnessed during my...
By Markus Stauffer and Richard GerlitzThe Horse Heaven Hills wind farm project planned by Scout Clean Energy (Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, May 2020) would stretch along 24 miles of ridgeline from south of the Tri-Cities at Jump-Off Joe Butte to near Benton City.As many as 212 wind turbines would...
When will the pandemic end?It’s the question we’re all asking, but aside from adhering to official guidance around social distancing, hand-washing and wearing masks, it’s one that we’re powerless to influence. What will the world look like once the virus is behind us? What will Washington’s economy look like?We may not...
It was Dec. 13, 2007, when then Kennewick police Chief Marc Harden and his wife, Deana, invited Tri-City Herald editorial page editor Matt Taylor and his wife, Bonnie, to dinner to talk about the formation of a group in the Tri-Cities to discuss matters political, social, and on occasion, just...
To the editor:The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business should discontinue use of the word “free” when referring to products and services being offered at no direct cost to the recipient. Whether an article promotes free meals, free Covid tests, or, in this case free business advice (“7,271 Washington businesses got...
By Eric DegermanSpecial to the TCAJOBThe sweet news about the establishment of the Candy Mountain American Viticultural Area gives the Washington state wine industry its 16th AVA.Candy Mountain, a portion of which is in the Richland city limits, recently became the tiniest AVA in the state at 815 acres. Its...
Think of a unique piece of property.Maybe it’s a plot of land you own that is situated perfectly to be added to the Badger Mountain trail system.Maybe it’s a charming house or commercial building in downtown Kennewick. Maybe it’s a vineyard in the heart of Red Mountain.If your ultimate goal...
Food and agriculture lay claim to many segments of the economy of the greater Tri-Cities.The area’s fields, orchards, vineyards and animal husbandry operations yield a cornucopia of products. While a good portion of these products is shipped beyond county lines, much is sent to facilities here to process the bounty....
By East Benton County Historical SocietyIt was a no school day on Sept. 23, 1954, in east Benton County and surrounding areas.The bright, beautiful, sunny early autumn day remained, however, a day of education and history.Students from grade school up didn’t get a day’s learning at their desks carved with...
Hunters, fishers, and farmers are the original conservationists.Growing up in Central Washington, I have been surrounded by agriculture my whole life.As farmers and ranchers work to feed the world, we also recognize the importance of conserving our precious natural resources and native species.The same goes for sportsmen, many of whom...
